Shepparton 17/07/11 Race 8
I didn't see the race but this don't read to good.
Stewards Report
RACE 8 - NEATLINE HOMES PACE (3RD HEAT) (2190m MS)
Pre-race blood samples were taken from Henry Ducket NZ.
During the middle stages of the race Salvador pulled hard whilst racing outside of the leader.
In the home straight Henry Ducket NZ and Mainland Jet had difficulty in obtaining a clear run.
When asked for an explanation into his driving tactics during the early and middle stages of the race Nathan Jack driver of Tentolife explained that his intention was to lead as the gelding races far better in front as it's record indicates that of it's six career wins, five of those have been achieved when leading after drawing the front line. He further stated that he was surprised that Vijay Lee which was having it's second start for trainer David Kennedy showed gate speed and contested the lead as when previously trained by Mr.Daff it did not show much gate speed nor was it driven aggressively during a race. Mr Jack added that he was of the view that Mr Painting driver of Vijay Lee had given an indication passing the 1900m that he would not contest the lead but then did not restrain and allowed that gelding to stride for nearly 100m which resulted in Tentolife having to do more work than he would have liked to obtain the lead and when Henry Ducket NZ improved three wide near 1600m and then Salvador improved three wide when pulling near 1300m he was unable to slow the pace to compensate for the gelding's early work. Mr Jack added given the exposed form of Salvador and Henry Ducket NZ he did not consider relinquishing the lead to those geldings. Mr Jack also stated that although Tentolife was under pressure approaching the 200m he was disappointed with the performance given the class of the race and the closing sectionals he added that the gelding pulled up well other than having a good blow after the race which may also be attributed to the restricted work given to Tentolife to the lead up to the race due to the weather conditions. Mr Jack did concede that the early work may have also had some effect on the geldings performance.
Whilst accepting Mr. Jack's explanation in part Stewards took no further action against him as they could not be comfortably satisfied that his tactics from the start to the 1900m was the major contributor to it's performance.
The Stewards will conduct a thorough betting analysis of this race.
